I didn't think you were, just voicing your thoughts, right? Whatever happens with the race I need to start no later than the 8th. As I need to catch a return flight back to Germany. I'm sure everthing will work out for us this year. It's going to be an adventure, that's for sure!

As a culminating point for some major frustration and an outlet for major decompression after college, I am spending the remainder of my final semester at school acquiring, training and readying myself to be at the Tour Divide Grand Depart on June 8th 2012 in Banff. This is my first attempt and hopefully my first completion...excited to meet people along the way, hear stories, listen to myself and embrace the beauty that is the everything and nothing of the route.

I'm in at this point, although maybe not if the snowpack requires reroutes like last year. So far so good in that respect. I'm seriously considering a June 7, 6am start since I'm slow. I'd rather not hit the mini-marts and camp store after 100 others have cleaned the shelves and a 6am start means I might actually be able to get all the way to Sparwood.

I AM COMING BACK FOR YET ANOTHER RUN AT SUB 20 OR 19 AFTER RIDING TO AW THE LAST 2 YEARS AT A LEISURELY 21 DAY PACE. THINKING OF MAYBE RIDIG A LIGHTER BIKE (NAW) I AM ALSO THROWING OUT A CHALLENGE TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO JOIN ME STARTING IN APRIL AT THE AZT 750, THE TDR IN JUNE AND THE CTR IN AUGUST--I HAVE DUBBED THIS THE "TRIPLE CROWN OF ULTRA SELF SUPPORTED MTB" (OPEN TO OTHER NAMES AND IDEAS) AND WILL PUT UP A WEBSITE SHORTLY FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO TRY THE ULTIMATE BIKEPACKING SUMMER OF LOVE.

Wow Dave I met you while riding the CTR a few years ago I gotta say you made an impression and I have no doubt you'll pull this off!ill be doing the AZ 300 this year along with the TD look forward to riding with you again.GOOD LUCK!

Has anyone heard anything about a start list or received emails from the race coordinators? On 12/21, I filled out the form on the website and also sent an email as per instructions that the sign up form wasn't functioning at this time. I still haven't received any info. I'm not concerned about that aspect; I realize that Mr. Lee has a busy schedule, but I do want to make sure that I'm in the loop.

Has anyone heard anything about a start list or received emails from the race coordinators? On 12/21, I filled out the form on the website and also sent an email as per instructions that the sign up form wasn't functioning at this time. I still haven't received any info. I'm not concerned about that aspect; I realize that Mr. Lee has a busy schedule, but I do want to make sure that I'm in the loop.

Haven't heard a word and the TD website has nothing other than the start date posted. I'm anxious to see the final GC for 2011.

The last two years this has been the norm so don't stress it-you are in if you want to be. Just plan your kit and one way ride to Banff. Mathew gets the lists updated as he can find time--two kids and the rest keep him pretty busy off the bike.

I AM COMING BACK FOR YET ANOTHER RUN AT SUB 20 OR 19 AFTER RIDING TO AW THE LAST 2 YEARS AT A LEISURELY 21 DAY PACE. THINKING OF MAYBE RIDIG A LIGHTER BIKE (NAW) I AM ALSO THROWING OUT A CHALLENGE TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO JOIN ME STARTING IN APRIL AT THE AZT 750, THE TDR IN JUNE AND THE CTR IN AUGUST--I HAVE DUBBED THIS THE "TRIPLE CROWN OF ULTRA SELF SUPPORTED MTB" (OPEN TO OTHER NAMES AND IDEAS) AND WILL PUT UP A WEBSITE SHORTLY FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO TRY THE ULTIMATE BIKEPACKING SUMMER OF LOVE.

Ollie here from New Zealand. Inspired by tales from Simon K and more recently Lance Griffin I'm throwing my hat in the ring for 2012 departing Banff. Iím hoping that TDR will go a long way towards satiating my thirst for long mountainbike adventures! We have a couple of good races coming up which will be a good tests for body and gear; The Great Southern Brevet (http://www.greatsouthernbrevet.blogspot.com/) starts this weekend, with Simon's own Kiwi Brevet (http://www.kiwibrevet.blogspot.com/) two weeks later. I'm flying in to San Francisco and driving a rental car to Boulder for some acclimatisation and other adventures, so would be cool to catch up with some fellow TDR riders prior to the event. Otherwise I'll see you all in Banff!Ollie

Ollie here from New Zealand. Inspired by tales from Simon K and more recently Lance Griffin I'm throwing my hat in the ring for 2012 departing Banff. Iím hoping that TDR will go a long way towards satiating my thirst for long mountainbike adventures! We have a couple of good races coming up which will be a good tests for body and gear; The Great Southern Brevet (http://www.greatsouthernbrevet.blogspot.com/) starts this weekend, with Simon's own Kiwi Brevet (http://www.greatsouthernbrevet.blogspot.com/) two weeks later. I'm flying in to San Francisco and driving a rental car to Boulder for some acclimatisation and other adventures, so would be cool to catch up with some fellow TDR riders prior to the event. Otherwise I'll see you all in Banff!Ollie

You got the same link in there twice Ollie! Will you be wearing that same skin-suit from the Single Speed worlds?Simons link : http://kiwibrevet.blogspot.com

Ollie here from New Zealand. Inspired by tales from Simon K and more recently Lance Griffin I'm throwing my hat in the ring for 2012 departing Banff. Iím hoping that TDR will go a long way towards satiating my thirst for long mountainbike adventures! We have a couple of good races coming up which will be a good tests for body and gear; The Great Southern Brevet (http://www.greatsouthernbrevet.blogspot.com/) starts this weekend, with Simon's own Kiwi Brevet (http://www.kiwibrevet.blogspot.com/) two weeks later. I'm flying in to San Francisco and driving a rental car to Boulder for some acclimatisation and other adventures, so would be cool to catch up with some fellow TDR riders prior to the event. Otherwise I'll see you all in Banff!Ollie

Awesome sounding event! Something that would really like to do. Maybe in 2014. Looking forward to meeting you in Banff.